Disability Studies, Certificate
Complement any undergraduate major with this certificate, that pairs with degrees across social sciences, education, health, law, business, design and the arts. You can also pursue this credential after completing your bachelor's degree.
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Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Disability Studies undergraduate certificate description
Disability studies is an exciting and diverse field that looks at disability in the context of the wider world. Instead of seeing disability only as a medical issue, this field studies it as something shaped by society and culture. It also sees people with disabilities as an important and protected group. This program combines ideas from many disciplines --- including history, sociology, law, politics, economics, geography, religion, gender studies, media and art --- to understand the lives and experiences of people with disabilities around the world.
You are encouraged to think critically and challenge the idea that disability just means something is "wrong" or needs to be cured or fixed. Instead, you learn how disability can be part of someone's identity and how society's rules, attitudes, and systems often make life more complex for people with disabilities.
The program also focuses on creating new ideas and strategies through education, law, policy and advocacy that break down the physical and social barriers that keep people with disabilities from fully participating in everyday life.
Why earn a disability studies undergraduate certificate at ASU?
Learn from faculty whose expertise spans justice studies, sociology, history, gender and sexuality studies, global studies and religious studies, giving this certificate genuine interdisciplinary range within a major research university.
Housed in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and connected to units like the School of Social Transformation, you tap into ASU's strengths in social justice education, community partnerships and experiential learning. The certificate also complements ASU's graduate offerings in disability studies and related fields, opening a clear pathway toward further study and professional training.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 15 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The certificate in disability studies requires 15 credit hours, of which 12 credit hours must be upper-division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be completed through The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When selecting courses, the college offering the course can be identified by viewing the course details in Class Search. Only courses completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a scale of 4.00) or better may be applied toward the certificate requirements. |
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|
JUS 235 Disability, Justice and Advocacy
(HUAD)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
JUS 437 The Social Construction of Disability and Justice
(HUAD)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
9 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 9 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
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What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Employ and critically assess core theories, models and perspectives that have contributed to the development of disability studies.
- Understand and identify representations of disability as historically specific and culturally contingent.
- Apply disability studies perspectives in the construction of social policy, engagement and advocacy.
Employ and critically assess core theories, models and perspectives that have contributed to the development of disability studies.Enrollment requirements
Students in any major, including the major or minor program in disability studies offered by the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, are permitted to add this certificate.
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this disability studies undergraduate certificate prepares you for
Graduates who have combined the certificate in disability studies with their major program of study may become more marketable to employers. They often decide to pursue employment in law, education, public service, and human welfare and social work.
Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
School of Social Transformation
|
WLSN 5th floor
SSTadvising@asu.edu
480-965-7682
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
